House of Memories Cymru: Enhancing Dementia Care and Wellbeing through Museum-Led Training in Wales

House of Memories is a museum-led dementia awareness training for dementia carers. Since 2012, House of Memories evaluations have consistently shown positive outcomes, including i) increased awareness; ii) carers improved wellbeing; iii) improved capacity for critical and creative care; and iv) increased cultural engagement (Ganga & Wilson, 2020). Nonetheless, peer-reviewed evidence to inform policy is limited, and further research is required to advance the field.

This paper aims to provide evidence of the effectiveness of House of Memories Cymru in i) connecting Welsh museums with the health and social care sector; ii) improving the wellbeing of older people and those living with dementia (PLWD); and ii) placing Wales as a dementia-friendly destination.

This mixed-methods pre-post study comprises two surveys, pre and post-House of Memories Cymru Training, for health and social care professionals and family carers in Wales. It includes quantitative profiling, Dementia Core Skills Training, and measures of subjective well-being. Two post-training focus groups assess the impact on dementia care skills.

The paper provides empirical evidence of the effectiveness of the House of Memories Cymru in informing the implementation of the Welsh Governments Programme for the 6th Senedd, demonstrating how House of Memories Cymru development skills to facilitate PLWD and their carers (partners/family) to visit Wales; and those living in Wales: i) better quality of life; ii) retention of Welsh language skills, through the implementation of digital innovation (House of Memories app – co-designed by PLWD, use museum collections for reminiscence with carers) supporting carers and PLWD to live better.